Jan Byrne

Jan Byrne

Contact Me

Director of Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic and Plant Pathology Diagnostician
MSU Extension

Phone:
517-355-3504

Email:

Degrees:
B.S., Cornell University, Plant Science
M.S., Michigan State University, Plant Pathology
Ph.D., Michigan State University, Plant Pathology

I am a member of a multi-disciplinary diagnostic team; as such I am primarily responsible for the diagnosis of plant diseases.  Annually, our lab receives approximately 1,000 – 1,500 plant samples for plant health analysis. These samples are primarily from within Michigan and represent both commercial growers and private citizens.

Additionally, I enjoy collaborations with my department colleagues that allow us to recognize and address challenges to Michigan’s agriculture.  Through some of these collaborations we have implemented molecular-based diagnostic techniques that were developed in research programs and augment traditional methods.

As part of a federal program, I receive samples for Phytophthora ramorum testing.  While not currently present in Michigan, this is an extremely destructive pathogen and is a potential threat to Michigan’s forests and nursery industry.

Michigan State University Plant & Pest Diagnostics lab is the regional center for the North Central Plant Diagnostic Network.  As such I work closely with our network of diagnosticians to promote continued collaboration and training for diagnosticians.

Courses taught: 

  • PLP 105 Fundamentals of Applied Plant Pathology, spring semester
  • PLP 890 Independent Study in Plant Diagnostics, fall semester